Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson paid the price for complacency as his understrength selection were held by a tremendously disciplined defensive performance from the SPL champions.

But the evening will be more remembered for the suspected fractured ankle suffered by United’s Antonio Valencia after an innocuous challenge with the blameless Kirk Broadfoot.

Marshalled superbly by 40-year-old central defender David Weir, Rangers successfully restricted a ponderous United.

And Rangers had strong shouts for a penalty as Chris Smalling clipped Broadfoot just inside the box on 71 minutes.

Ferguson made ten changes to his last EPL starting line-up, although these included the returns of ordinary first-choicers Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand, the latter making his season’s debut after injury.

Mexican striker Javier Hernandez headed an early chance wide from Fabio Da Silva’s cross.

But Gibson’s low 25-yard drive just past keeper Allan McGregor’s left-hand post on 34 minutes was the closest they came before half-time.

It was more of the same in the second period, Gibson volleying another 25-yarder narrowly wide two minutes after the restart.

Valencia’s injury on 58 minutes led to Ryan Giggs’ introduction. But even the mercurial Welshman couldn’t fashion a breakthrough as Rangers held on with admirable determination.